how to finalize a divorce in pennsylvania without a lawyer

by Mathew Mertz 10 min read

The do-it-yourself solution is ideal for an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania, where you do not require a lawyer. You can simply complete all the requisite forms and print them out instantly, including the marital settlement agreement. You can then follow the requisite procedures and file your divorce quickly and without any hassles.

Full Answer

How do I file for divorce in Pennsylvania without a lawyer?

You can file for divorce under the no-fault “mutual consent” grounds, which essentially means that both of you agree to the divorce on basis of the fact that your marriage is irretrievably broken. DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE AN ATTORNEY? The do-it-yourself solution is ideal for an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania, where you do not require a lawyer.

How long does it take to finalize a divorce in Pennsylvania?

FINALIZING YOUR PENNSYLVANIA DIVORCE Once you file for divorce in the court, it will take around 90 days for the divorce to be finalized. The court will hold a hearing on the issues where there is a dispute. 60 days before the hearing, your spouse and you must submit the following documents: A complete list of all your assets and their values.

Can you get a no-fault divorce in PA?

A marriage can end either by annulment or by divorce in Pennsylvania. Although some states allow legal separation, Pennsylvania does not recognize this as an option for couples who do not want to be married any longer. Pennsylvania is both a no-fault and a fault-based state.

What are the grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania?

When it comes to family law and divorce, Pennsylvania is quite a unique commonwealth. The Divorce Code in Pennsylvania was amended in 2005 and now allows divorce on “fault”, as well as “no-fault” grounds. If you file for divorce on the grounds of fault, then you must establish one of the following categories:

How do I file for divorce without a lawyer in PA?

If you cannot afford legal fees, then contact your PA county courthouse and they can refer you to legal aid. After the filing has occurred, you then have a choice to complete your divorce either through each of you hiring opposing lawyers or through divorce mediation - that is, if your spouse also agrees to mediate.

Can I file my own divorce papers in Pennsylvania?

However, it is possible to file your own divorce in Pennsylvania for no more than the state divorce form filing fees. This page provides all of the forms you need to initiate your do-it-yourself divorce in Pennsylvania.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in PA?

about four monthsMuch depends on the issues in each case. Even in cases where the parties reach a mutual consent (agreement) on all terms and opting for an uncontested divorce the process will take about four months to complete. That is because there is a mandatory 90 day waiting period in Pennsylvania.

Can I give divorce without a lawyer?

A mutual consented divorce is an easier and faster way you can get a divorce without a lawyer. For obtaining a divorce mutually, both the parties must agree that the divorce should take place, and decided on other relevant factors.

Is Pennsylvania online divorce legit?

PennsylvaniaOnlineDivorce.com offers a 100% legit, quick, and affordable solution to prepare for the filing process. The main advantages of online divorce are: There are no unnecessary meetings required. All you need to complete your divorce papers is your PC or smartphone.

How much does it cost to file divorce papers in PA?

approximately a $300Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.

Is 1 year separation mandatory for divorce?

For filing divorce case one separation period is not mandatory but one year is mandatory if both you want to file mutual divorce petition. If you alone want to file divorce petition 1 year separation is not mandatory, you can claim permanent alimony and maintenance for you and your child.

Does Pa require separation before divorce?

There is a One-Year Waiting Period For Filing for a No-Fault Divorce. If a couple is seeking a divorce without establishing grounds for fault (discussed further below), then Pennsylvania law imposes a one-year waiting period from the time of separation before either spouse can file for divorce.

Can you date while separated in PA?

Is it okay to date when you're separated? It is okay, providing you do it right. If you start seeing someone else before you and your spouse decide to divorce or before you physically separate, it is considered adultery.

Can we divorce without going to court?

No it is not possible for you to take divorce legally without going to court. If both parties are ready than go for Mutual Consent Divorce in which case you will have to appear in court only 4 times on different dates. If your marriage is legally solemnized than only way for legal divorce is through Court.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

What is an uncontested divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all of their divorce-related issues rather than going to trial and having a judge make those decisions for them.

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How to get a no fault divorce in Pennsylvania?

To get a no-fault divorce in Pennsylvania you need to state one of the two no-fault grounds in the Complaint in Divorce. One is that “the marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken and both parties consent to a divorce.”. Both parties must file affidavits consenting to divorce, and the decree cannot be entered until 90 days after filing.

What happens if you divorce a married couple in Pennsylvania?

For any married couple in Pennsylvania, divorce will sever the marital relationship, and divide assets and debts. If one party will be unable to be self-supporting after the divorce, the issue of alimony may arise. If there are minor children, the issues of child custody and support must be resolved. Same Sex Divorce.

How long do you have to be a resident to file for divorce in Pennsylvania?

Residency and Where to File. In order to file for divorce in Pennsylvania, either you or your spouse must be a Pennsylvania resident for at least 6 months. You may file in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where: the defendant resides, the plaintiff resides, if the defendant is not a Pennsylvania resident,

How long do you have to be separated to be a plaintiff?

the plaintiff resides, if you are not separated for 6 months and the defendant agrees, or where either party resides if neither live in the county where you lived together, or. where either party resides, if you have been separated for at least 6 months.

What is a non-spousal gift?

acquired by inheritance, or a non-spousal gift, or in exchange for such property, acquired between the date of separation and the date of divorce, and. constituting payment from a lawsuit or claim accruing prior to the marriage or after the date of final separation, regardless of when the payment was received.

Can you get divorced in Pennsylvania without fault?

To get a no-fault divorce in Pennsylvania you need to state one of the two no-fault grounds in the Complaint in Divorce.

How long do you have to serve divorce papers in Pennsylvania?

Serve Your Spouse with Divorce Papers. You must officially notify your spouse of your intent to divorce them by serving court paperwork on them within 30 days of the date they were filed. If the other party doesn’t live in Pennsylvania, the time requirement is extended to 90 days.

How long do you have to wait to file a divorce in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Waiting Period. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure require both parties to wait 90 days from the service of the Complaint before filing the uncontested divorce consent forms. After 90 days, both parites can file an Affidavit of Consent, stating that they consent to the divorce.

How much does it cost to file an uncontested divorce?

However, there are still a few costs you’ll incur. The filing fee is about $300 and needs to be paid when you file your case with the courts. Exact costs may vary slightly by county.

How to build trust in an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce involves a certain degree of trust, and the best way to build trust is to keep the lines of communication open. Every divorce is different, so when you engage in a dialog will be up to you and your spouse. The important thing to understand is that this is a critical part of the process.

What does compromise do in a divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, compromise makes it easier to move forward, many times without an attorney, so that you can focus on the next chapter of your life. Courts expect you to meet ...

What does it mean when you submit an agreement to the court?

When you submit an agreement to the court, either with initial paperwork or as part of a response, it indicates both of you have given thought to how you want to resolve your differences and that you both agree on an amicable path forward.

What do courts want in a divorce?

Courts want to see that there is a fair and equitable split of assets and debts in a divorce. As part of your discussions with your spouse, you should both complete and exchange financial affidavits.

How to finalize a divorce?

Finalize the Divorce. Once you file all the documents, the clerk will forward your case to the judge for review. After the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, the clerk's office will send you and your spouse certified copies, and your divorce will be official. Talk to a Lawyer.

How long do you have to live in Pennsylvania before filing for divorce?

you and your spouse must sign an affidavit consenting to the divorce, and. you or your spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months before the filing. You may file a mutual consent divorce whether you and your spouse have children together or not.

How long after filing divorce papers can you sign?

Ninety days after the date you filed the divorce papers, you may sign the Affidavit of Consent (written declaration) stating that you and your spouse agree to the divorce (23 Pa. Const. Stat. Ann § 3301 (d).). You will sign one, and you will mail one to your spouse to sign.

What is mutual consent divorce?

Divorcing couples can seek a "mutual consent divorce," meaning both spouses consent to the divorce and agree on all of their divorce-related issues. A mutual consent divorce is much easier and shorter than a traditional divorce.

What are the requirements for a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania?

You must meet the following requirements to file a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania: your marriage must be irretrievably broken. you and your spouse must agree to the divorce. you and your spouse must sign an affidavit consenting to the divorce, and.

How does the clerk of divorce work?

Once you file all the documents, the clerk will forward your case to the judge for review. After the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, the clerk's office will send you and your spouse certified copies, and your divorce will be official.

How long does it take to get divorced?

A mutual consent divorce is a faster divorce process than traditional divorce—you can get divorced in three to four months, rather than the standard two or more years. However, to take advantage of a mutual consent divorce, both spouses must agree to the divorce and sign papers stating that each is in agreement.

What are the issues that come up during a divorce in Pennsylvania?

Here are some of the important legal questions and major issues you should know about that come up during a divorce in Pennsylvania: Property Issues . Alimony and Child Support.

Why is adultery a reason for divorce in Pennsylvania?

When adultery is cited as a reason for a divorce, it may be used as a means of getting a more favorable settlement from the courts, especially if it can be shown that the adulterer spent marital assets on the affair in question.

When does alimony end?

This may be the case if a spouse has a large increase in income, or if they lose their job. Alimony ends when the spouse collecting spousal support gets remarried. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s important to note that a spouse can seek alimony payments even before a divorce is finalized.

What are the factors that determine property in a divorce in Pennsylvania?

By law, according to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, when awarding property in a divorce a court must consider the following factors: the length of the marriage; any prior marriage of either party; the age, health, station, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties;

When domestic violence is present in a marriage in Pennsylvania, any divorce actions are secondary to the immediate safety of a

When domestic violence is present in a marriage in Pennsylvania, any divorce actions are secondary to the immediate safety of a spouse or children who may be in immediate danger.

Does Pennsylvania have a property division law?

In addition to Pennsylvania property division laws, the federal government also protects military personnel through the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act that governs how military benefits are calculated when a divorce takes place.

Is Pennsylvania a fault based state?

Pennsylvania is both a no-fault and a fault-based state. A couple can simply cite that a marriage is irretrievably broken, or a spouse can also cite one of several at-fault reasons as well, such as cruelty, adultery, or a spouse’s incarceration, among others.

How to contact Pennsylvania no fault divorce?

If you would like to better understand Pennsylvania’s no-fault divorce process, please contact us today for a free initial phone consultation at (717) 502-5000. Comments are closed.

How long does it take to get a no fault divorce?

How long does it take to get a no-fault divorce? As a general rule, you can obtain a no-fault divorce when there are no remaining financial issues in as little as four (4) months. There is a specific process from the filing and service of the initial divorce complaint through the final documents filed with the court.

How long does it take for a divorce to be granted?

Ninety days after the divorce papers are served on the non-filing spouse, each spouse signs and files with the court an affidavit stating that each party consents to the divorce. After the court receives these affidavits, along with a series of other documents, the court will then grant a divorce decree.

What is service of process in divorce?

Once filed, it has to be delivered to your spouse and you have to prove to the court that you have done so. This is called service of process and in order for it to be valid, it has to be done according to law and within the time specified by law. Consents of Affidavit of Separation – Depending on the type of no-fault divorce you are seeking, ...

What is mutual consent divorce?

A mutual consent divorce is available when both parties are willing to agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken and consent to the divorce; a separation divorce occurs when the marriage is irretrievably broken and the parties have lived separate and apart for at least one (1) year. In both types of no-fault divorce, ...

Is child custody separate from divorce?

Child custody and child support matters are separate and distinct from divorce cases. However, property and debt distribution as well as support between spouses (Alimony Pendente Lite, Spousal Support, Alimony) must be dealt with before a divorce decree is granted or you could lose those rights permanently.

Can you get a no fault divorce in Pennsylvania?

To qualify for a no-fault separation divorce in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following criteria: As with a consent divorce, no formal hearing before the court is required. You can obtain a no-fault divorce whether or not you and your spouse have children together.

How long does it take to file a motion for divorce?

After six months and a day , you can file a motion for bifurcation of marital status. What that means is, marital status can be bifurcated or separated from the other issues that are pending in your divorce case.

What happens if property division is not effectuated?

With that, if the property division has not been effectuated or other issues have not been settled in your case, the court may require and usually does require that certain conditions are set forth in the judgement of termination of marital status.

Can you get remarried if you are not married?

It may be because you want to get remarried, or just the psychological effects of being legally single and not married to that person any longer really impacts the pace of the case. It is possible to terminate your marital status, meaning that you’re able to restore yourself to the status of a single person. After six months and a day, you can file ...

Can you terminate your marriage early?

There are probably 10 or more conditions that the court will impose upon the requesting party, but you can terminate marital status early, before the determination of other issues. Ann A. Thomson is a family lawyer practicing in Seal Beach, California.